Suction cleaner



Jan. 6, 19

w. AH

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Nov. 2' 7 4 Sheets-$het 1 J U 1 W W 4 15 Hip WHIMIIWH i WW Jan. 6, 1931. w. P. LEAHY 1,787,537

SUCTION CLEANER I Filed Nov. 2. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. P. LEAHY SUCTION CLEANER Jan. 6, 1931.

Filed Nov. 2. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 6, 1931. w. LEAHY 1,787,537

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Nov. 2. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m I] if F a I v m Q Patented Jane 6, 193i UNETE STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM 1?. LEAHY, 0F CANTOfi', OHIO, ASSIGNOR 0F DNE-HALF TO EDWARD A.

LANGENBAGH, OF CANTON, OHIQ SUCTION CLEANER Application filed November 2, 192?. Serial No. 230,514.

The invention relates to cleaners for carpets, rugs, floors and the like employing a suc tion draft of air through the carpet or rug and/or over the surface thereof and/or of the floor; and more particularly to portable suction cleaners including suction creating means associated with a portable nozzle and with a suitable dust collector.

Portable suction cleaners of this type may be classified according to the degree of suction or vacuum pressure setup in the nozzle, as high vacuum cleaners in which there is set up a relatively high vacuum per square inch of nozzle opening, and low vacuum cleaners in which there is setup a relatively low vacuum per square inch of nozzle opening.

A high vacuum cleaner as ordinarily con; structed depends entirely on the suction blast through the nozzle thereof to dislodge and loosen dust and dirt particles and threads and the like from the carpet or rug or floor, as well as to convey the same away to a suit.- able dust collector. With ahigh vacuum cleaner it is sometimes found that threads, lint and other light fiufiy articles are very difiicult to pick up from certain surfaces to be cleaned.

On the other hand a low vacuum cleaner as ordinarily constructed depends largely upon some form of agitator for loosening dirt as well as threads, lint and the like from the material or surface to be cleaned, and the agitator may be a brush rotated by the traction of the cleaner over the floor, or by the motor driving the suction creating fan, or some other form of agitator.

' After the agitator of a low vacuum cleaner has loosened the dirt and dbris as aforesaid, the relatively low vacuum set up in the nozzle opening thereof carries the dirt'and debris away to the dust collector.

In general it may be stated that high vacuum cleaners clean by a suction draft of air passing entirely through the fabric of the carpet or rug'being cleaned; whereas a low vacuum cleaner cleans toa great degree by positively agitating the upper surface of the carpet or rug-and by carrying the dirt and dbris. thus dislodged "therefrom over and away therefrom,,it being generally easier to pick up threads, lint and other light flufiy articles-witha low vacuum cleaner with a positive agitator than with a high vacuum cleaner without an agitator.

Accordingly the objects of the present improvements include the provision of a suction cleaner which employs both high vacuum and low vacuum nozzles and a positive agitator preferably in the low vacuum nozzle, whereby the advantages of both a high vacuum and low vacuum cleaner are attained in a single machine, with the further advantage when cleaning a carpet or rug of setting up ripples therein by reason of the high and low vacuum nozzles, in addition to the agitation thereof by the positive agitator.

These and ancillary objects are attained by the use of a construction and arrangement for the improved slpct on cleaner hereinafter set forth in detail, and which may be stated in general terms asiincluding a pair of laterally extending suction nozzles preferably having a common wall between them, means setting up a high vacuum per square inch of nozzle opening in one of the nozzles, and means setting up a low vocuum per square inch of nozzle opening in the other nozzle, and a positive agitator preferably in the low vacuum nozzle, together with v suitable dust collectors to receive the dust and dbris picked up by the nozzles.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings formingpart hereof, in which *2 Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation view with portions broken away of one em bodiment of the improved suction cleaner hereof, including a horizontal shaft motor for driving the suction creating means, and provided with a brush agitator in the low pressure nozzle, the brush being adapted for rotation by traction of the cleaner across the surface to be cleaned; 3

Fig. 2, a fragmentary sectional View. thereof as on line 2-2, Fig, l;

Fig. 3, a fragmentar -front elevation of another embodimento the improved s tion cleaner hereof, including a horizornl shaftmotor for driving the suction creatii means, and provided with a motor d'ri' rotating brush agitator in the low pressure nozzle;

Fig. 4, a fragmentary sectional view thereof as on line 4-4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, a fragmentary front elevational view of another embodiment of the improved suction cleaner hereof, including a horizontal shaft motor for driving the suction creating means, and provided with a motor driven oscillating arm agitator in the low pressure nozzle;

Fig. 6, a fragmentary sectional view thereofas on line 6-6, Fig.

Fig. 7, a fragmentary front elevation of another embodiment of the improved 'suction cleaner hereof, including a vertical shaft motorfor driving the suction creating means, and provided with a motor driven oscillating arm agitator in the low pressure nozzle; r

Fig. 8, a fragmentary sectional view thereof as on line 8-8, Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9, a fragmentary plan sectional view thereof as on line 99, Figs. 7 and 8.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the'several views.

The embodiment of the improved suctioncleaner hereof, indicated generally at 10 in Figs. 1 and 2, includes a motor 11, preferably an electric motor adapted to receive power from an ordinary house lighting circuit by means of a usual cable. connector not shown. The forward end of the motor is secured as by screws 12 to the rear end of Y a combined fan base and nozzle housing indicated generally at 13, and the housing is provided at its lower end with laterally spaced wheels 14a and 146, which with a caster 15 mounted at the rear end of the motor 11 and preferably adjustable verti: cally with respect thereto, provide rolling supports for maintaining the shaft of the motor substantially horizontal.

The combined fan case and nozzle housing 13 preferably comprises a forward low pressure nozzle section 16 secured at its rear end as by screws 17 to the forward end of a rear fan casing and high ressure nozzle section 18, the rear end of w ich is secured as aforesaid by the screws 12 to the forward end .of the motor 11.

The forward end 19 of the horizontal motor shaft extends into the interior of the section 18 and a forward fan 20 and a rear fan 21 longitudinally spaced from each other as by washers 22 are removably secured upon the shaft end 19, as bymeans of a forward nut 23 screwed upon the threaded ex-' tremity 24 of the shaft end 19, and clam ing the 'hubs 25 and 26 of the fans 20 an 21, respectively, with the washers 22 interposed therebetween, against'a. suitable thrust hearing 27 on the shaft end 19, I

A vertical fan case partition 28 longitudinally spaced from the forward end of the motor is provided within the housing section 18, and the section 18 includes a suitable fan casing peripheral wall 29'extending longitudinally forward from the outer edges of the partition 28. Adouble fan chamber for both of the fans 20 and 21 is formed by the vertical partition 28, the peripheral Wall 29,v

and the rear end wall 30 of the forward sec tion 16; and separate fan chambers 31.and 32 are formed, respectively, for each of the fans 20 and 21 by means ofa vertical disc partition 33 located between the longitudinally spaced fans and removably secured at its outer edge as by means of screws 34 to a ring flange 35 projecting inwardly from the peripheral wall 29.

The section 18 of the housing 13 also includes a rearwardly extending outlet elbow 36 providing outlet communications between the fan chambers 31 and 32 and a dust bag 37 secured in a usual manner at the rear en of the outlet elbow.

A laterally extending high vacuum nozzle 38 is thus formed for the cleaner by lower portions of the rear end wall 30 of the forward section 16, and the.peripheral wall 29, the partition 28, and the suitably curved rear end Wall 39 of the section 18.

A laterally extending low pressure nozzle 40 is formed for the cleaner by the rear end wall 30 of the forward section 16 and the front end wall 41 thereof; and the wall 30 is thus a common wall for both nozzles.

The high pressure nozzle 38 communicates through a suitable aperture 42 in the partition 28 with the fan chamber 32, and the low pressure nozzle 40 communicates throu h a suitable aperture 43 in the rear'end wal 30 gf the forward section 16 with the fan cham- A hand hole 44 and a suitable snap closure An upwardly extending. handle 50 may be pivotally secured upon the motor 11 in a well known manner for pushing the sweeper to and fro as aforesaid.

The modified embodiment of the improved v suction cleaner hereof, indicated generally at in Figs. 3 and 4, includes a motor 111, preferably an electric motor adaptedto re- .ceive power from an ordinary house lighting circuit by means of a usual cable connector not shown. The forward end of the motor end as by screws 117 to the forward end of a. rear fan casing and high pressure nozzle section. 118, the rear end of which is secured as aforesaid by the screws 112 to the forward end of the motor 111.

The forward end 119 of the horizontal motor shaft extends into the interior of the section 118and a forward fan 120 and a rear fan 121 longitudinally spaced from each other as by Washers 122 are removably secured upon the shaft end 119, as by means of a forward pulley nut 123 screwed upon the threaded extremity 124 of the shaft end 119, and clamping the hubs 125 and. 126 of the fans 120, and 121, respectively, with the washers 122 interposed therebetween, against a suitable thrust bearing 12? on the shaft end 119. p I

A vertical fan case partition 128 longitudinally spaced from theforward end of'the motor is provided within the housing section 118, and the section 118 includes a suitable fan casing peripheral wall 129* extending longitudinally forward from the outer edges of the partition 128. A double fan chamber includes a rearwardly extending outlet elbow 136 providing outlet communications between the fan chambers 131 and 132. and a dust'bag 137 secured in a usual manner at the rear end of theoutlet elbow.

A laterally extending high vacuum nozzle 138 is thus formed for the cleaner by lower portions of the rear end wall 130 of the for ward section 116, and the peripheralwall 129,

the partition 128, and;.-.the suitably curved rear end wall 139 of the section 118.

A laterally ext-ending low pressure nozzle 1401 is formed forthe cleaner by the rear end wall 130 of the forward section 116 and the front end Wall 141 thereof; and the wall 130 is thus a common wall for both nozzles.

The high pressure nozzle 138 communicates through a suitable aperture 142 in the partition 128 with the fan chamber 132, and

the low pressure nozzle 140 communicates through a suitable aperture 143 in the rear end wall 130 of the forward section 116 with the fan chamber 131. a

A hand hole 144 and a suitable snap closure 145 therefor may be provided in the front end wall 141 of the section 116 for permitting access to the interior of the low pressure 'nozzle 140 and the fan chambers.

An upwardly extending handle 150 may be pivotally secured upon the motor 111 in a well known manner for pushing the sweeper to and fro across the surface-to be cleaned.

A laterally extending rotarybrush 146 is preferablyremovably mounted in a well known manner in the low pressure nozzle 140 and arranged to be rotated by the motor shaft 119 as by means of a belt 147 connecting the pulley nut 123 on the end of the shaft with a suitable pulley 148' on'the shaft 149 for the rotary brush 146.

Another modified embodiment of the im proved suction cleaner hereof, and indicated generally at 210 in Figs. 5 and 6, includes a motor 211, preferably an electric motor adapted to receive power from an ordinary house lighting circuit by means of a "usual cable connector not shown. The forward end of the motor is secured as by screws 212 to the rear end of a combined fan case and nozzle housing indicated generally at 213, a

and the hoiising is provided at its lower end with laterally spaced wheels 214a and 2146, which with a caster 215 mounted at the rear end of the motor 211 and preferably adjust,- able vertically with respect thereto, provide rolling supports for maintaining the shaft of the motor substantially horizontal.

lhe combined fan case and nozzle housing 213 preferably comprises a/forward low pressure nozzle section 216 secured at its rear end as by screws 217 to the forward end of a rear fancasing and hi h pressure nozzle section 218, the rear end 0 which is secured as aforesaid by the screws 212 to the forward end of the motor 211.

Theforward end 219 of the horizontal motor shaft extends into the interior of the section 218 and'a forward fan 220 and a rear fan 221 longitudinally spaced from each other-are removably' secured upon the shaft end 219, as by means of aforward nut 223 screwed upon the threaded extremity 224 of the shaft end 219, and clamping the hubs tudinally spaced/fromthe forward end of the motor is provided, within the housing 35 ;,through a suitable aperture 242 in the partisection 218, and the section 218 includes a suitable fan casing peripheral wall 229 ex- .tending longitudinally forward from the outer edges of the partition 228. A double fan chamber for both of the fans 220 and 221 is formed by the vertical partition 228, the peripheral wall 229, and the rear end Wall 230 of the forward section 216; and separate fan chambers 231 and 232 are fdrmed, re-' includes a rearwardly extending outlet elbow 236 providing outlet communications between the fan chambers 231 and 232 and a dust bag 237 secured in a usual manner at the rear end of the outlet elbow.

A laterally extending high vacuum nozzle 238 is thus formed for the cleaner .by

lower portions of the rear end wall 230 ofthe forward section 216, and the peripheral wall 229, the partition 228, and the suitably curved rear end wall 239 of the section 218. A laterally extending low pressure nozzle 240 is formed for the cleaner by the rear end wall 230 of the forward section 216 and the front end wall 241 thereof; and the wall 230 is thus a common wall for both nozzles.

The high pressure nozzle 238 communicates tion 228 with the fan chamber 232, and the low pressure nozzle 240 communicates through a suitable aperture 243 in the rear end'wall 230 of the forward section 216 with the fan chamber 231.

A hand hole 244' and a suitable snap closure 245 therefor may be provided in the front end wall 241 of the section 216 for permitting access to the interior'of the low pressure nozzle 240 and the fan chambers.

An upwardly extending handle250 may bepivotally secured upon the motor 211 in awell known manner for pushing the sweeper to and fro across the surface to be cleaned.

A- laterally extending oscillating armagitator indicated generally at 246 is mounted in the low pressure nozzle 240 and arranged to be driven bythe motor shaft 219 as by means of a connecting rod 247-connecting an eccentric 223mm the nut 223 on the end of a the shaft with a driving crank 248 extending loo inwardly from the' agitator shaft 249 which is mounted for oscillation in a bearing 249a at each end thereof, each' bearing being secured within the section 216. I

One or more beater arms 251 extend from the shaft 249 across the opening of the nozzle 240; and the beater arms 251 are rapidly oscillated by the aforesaid crank and rod conr 1 nection with the motor drive shaft, whereby the surface of the rug 252 beingcleaned is beaten and agitated, loosening the dirt parti cles therefrom.

A laterally extending stationary brush 253 may be mounted within the high pressure nozzle 238 for brushing the surface being cleaned after or before the same has been subject to the to and fro cleaning action of the low pressure nozzle and the agitator therein, and immediately before or after the high pressure nozzle continues the cleaning operation by drawing a blast of air through the rug 252, as distinguishedfrom the action 312 to the upper end of a' combined fan case and nozzle housing indicated generally at 313, and the housing isprovided at its lower end with laterally spaced wheels 314a and 3141), which with a caster 315 mou ted at the rearend of the housing and pre erably adjustable vertical with respect thereto, provide rolling supports for mounting the motor substantially fertical.

The combined fan case and nozzle housing the shaft of 313 preferably includes a low pressure nozzle bottom: plate 316 secured at' its edges as by screws 317 to the lower'end of an upper fan .casing and high and low pressure nozzle section 318, the upper end of which is secured as aforesaid by the screws 312 to the lower end of the motor 311.

The lower end 319 of the vertical motor 4 shaft extends into the interior of the section 318 and a lower fan 320 and an upper fan 321 vertically spaced from each other are removably secured'upon the shaftvend 319 as by means of a lower nut 323 screwed upon the threaded extremity 324 of the shaft end 319, and clamping the hubs 325 anda326 of the fans 320 and 321, respectively,-,-ugainst a suitable thrust bearing 327 on the shaft end 319. 1

A horizontal fancase partition 328 spaced below the lower end. of the motor is provided within the housing section'318, and the section 318 includes a suitable fan casing. ripheral wall. 329 extending downwar ly from the outer ed es of the artition 328.

A double fan cham r for boti of the fan 320 and 321 is formed by the horizontal pa s tition 328, theperipheralwall 329, and a fan chamber bottom disc 330a removably secured at its peri hery as by screws 3305 to the lower edge of the peripheral wall 329; and sepas rate fan chambers 331 and 332 areformed, respectively, for the fans 320' and 321 by means of a vertical disc partition 333 located between and preferably integral with the vertically spaced fans, the outer peripheral edge of the disc being rotatably fitted in the.

the cleaner by the suitably curved front end wall 341 of the section 318, the side walls thereof, and a suitably curved partition Wall 330 extending within the section 318 from the side walls thereof and the forward edges of the disc 328.

A rear and lower laterally extending low pressure nozzle 340 is formed for the cleaner by the partition wall 330 of the section 318. the side walls thereof, and the plate 316; and thewall 330 is thus a common wall for both nozzles.-

The high pressure nozzle 338 communis cates through a-suitable aperture 342 ,inthepartition 328 with the fan chamber332: and the low pressure nozzle 340 communicates through av suitable aperture 343 in the disc 330a with the fan chamber 331. An upwardly extending handle 350 may be pivotally secured upon the section318 in a well known manner for .pushing the sweeper to and fro across the surface to be cleaned.

A laterally extending oscillating arm agitator indicated generally at 346 is mounted in the low pressure nozzle 340 and arranged to be driven by'the motor shaft 319 as by means of a connecting rod 347 connecting an eccentric 32311 on the nut 323 on the end of the shaft with a driving crank 348 extending upwardly from the agitator shaft 349 which is mounted for oscillation in a bearing 349a ateach end thereof, each bearing being se-- cured in the section 318.

One or more beater arms 35l extend from connection with the motor drive shaft, whereby the surface of the rug 352 being cleaned is beaten and agitated, loosening the dirt particles therefrom.

A laterally extending stationary may be mounted at the forward edge of the high pressure nozzle 348. for brushing the surface being cleaned before and 'after the same has been subject to the to and fro cleanhereunto subscribed iny-nam P. LEAHY.

irlig action of the high and low pressure nozz es.

Each of the\ aforesaid embodiments 10,

110, 210, and 310, of-the improved suction cleaner hereof, includes a pair of laterally ex-' tending suction nozzles having a common wall between them. Each of the nozzles 38,

138, 238, and 338 has a suction draft 0 ening whose area is less than the suction aft opening of the respective nozzle 40, 140, 240, and 340 associated therewith.

The fan for each nozzle of each embodi- Any given area of a floor or rug being cleaned by any of the embodiments is thus subject successively during the to and fro movement of the sweeper thereover, to the cleaning action of the low pressure nozzle with the agitater therein, and to ;the different cleaning action of the high pressure nozzle. i

In thecase of a rug or a'carpet being cleaned, a blast of air is drawn by the low pressure nozzle across the surface asthe same is vibrated by the agitator, and before and after this cleaning action takes place, a blast of air is drawn through the rug or carpet by the high pressure nozzle.

This repetitive successi ve action of the high and low pressure nozzle causes a rippling of the rug carpet independent of the vibra tion thereof by the agitator,

means forsetting up a low vacuum in the other nozzle. v I

'2. A suction cleaner including adjacent suction nozzles, means for setting up a vacuum in one of the nozzles and means setting up a lowvacuum in the other nozzle,

and adust collector for receiving the dust nozzles.

and debris picked up by each-of the I have In testimony that I claim the above,

brush 353 hlh. fir 

